Proposed cuts have Massey Uni students stressed about future

Students affected by proposed cuts to science courses at Massey University say they are stressed about their futures, at a time when they should be preparing for exams.

Massey is proposing to scrap its engineering courses entirely and only teach natural sciences, and food and advanced technology, at its Palmerston North campus.

That means people studying the latter two in Albany, Auckland, do not know what the future holds, such as molecular biology under-graduate Junwen Chi.

She said she might have to leave the university, and she would not be alone.

"It sounds like they're going to continue these classes in Palmerston North, but students can't just pack up, leave their family and head out to Palmerston North for their studies.

"Especially for students like me, in the middle of the academic year, there's no reason for me to [relocate] myself down to Palmerston North just to finish. I've only got three courses left." 

For her and other students, news of the proposals was a distraction from end-of-year work.

"The timing of the proposal couldn't have been worse, dropping this bombshell in the middle of final exams, and students are suffering from anxiety and pressure.

"Just yesterday we received an invitation for 2024 enrolment, and we don't exactly know what we should be enrolled for."

The Tertiary Education Union said the plans could cost more than 100 jobs but the university, already facing a deficit of more than $30 million for the year, said they were necessary.

Chi said losing top staff would affect Massey's standing.

"I believe they [staff] have done so many contributions in terms of scientific research and results. Students looking at the ranking of Massey University, and especially for overseas students, if we're losing them, I don't know if students will still choose to study at Massey."

It rankled too that students were paying good money in fees, and had worked through a disrupted few years of online learning and then back to classes, only to face greater uncertainty now.

For students considering a move, changing universities might not be simple.

It was something final year engineering student Inuka Panditha said was asked of management at a forum in Albany this week.

"Third years - they have an issue if they have to go for another university. Because they're in their third year, where they do have very specified papers on certain subjects, they might have to do an extra year of education if they were to transfer into [another] university, which is a question we brought up in the forum.

"Is Massey going to provide financial support for this year because it is not their fault that this happened?"

Panditha said that was not answered.

He also raised concerns about overseas students, who often had visas that would not allow them to only study online, or that tied them to certain locations.

Another engineering student, Hannah, said it was proposed students in the subject would still be able to finish their qualifications at Massey, although it was not clear how this would work.

"Third years and below are currently expected to grandfather the programme out in Manawatū.

"It has been stated in the proposal that it will not continue in Albany, however, our pro vice-chancellor yesterday at the forum was stating otherwise, that it may continue in Albany and grandfather the programme out.

"We don't expect that university to have support from the lecturers to be able to complete this," Hannah said.

"We can expect to see students having quite a bit of impaired performance, both academically and everything else." 

Massey said final decisions were expected next month, after consultation takes place.

Final year food technology student Gabrielle Lobo said Massey was proposing to cut some degree majors. 

That, as well as only offering the overall subject in Palmerston North, brought many unknowns. 

She said it was impossible, as it was for engineering students, to take courses by distance because there was lab and group work.

"A lot of Massey's pull in the food industry comes from the fact that it's such an accredited degree and it's a widely known degree...

"You say you come from Massey as a food technology student and people know what you've studied. They know what you have done. 

"Massey's changing that. We don't know what that degree looks like."

Like Massey staff RNZ has spoken to, Lobo said the new innovation complex at the Albany campus included state of the art facilities for food technology that would not be required if the proposal went through.

'They've provided us very little information'

Students Against Cuts representative Joshua Parsons, who studies in Palmerston North, said the group was shocked but not surprised by the proposal.

He described the consultation as a sham.

"They've provided us very little information and they've asked us for consultation on the online feedback form where the only two questions they ask us are: How does this affect your studies - well, we don't know because you aren't telling us - and are there any questions?

"They've also put a little proviso under that box saying, 'We're not actually going to answer any individual questions'."

Parsons agreed the timing could not be worse.

"Students are stressed out. Students are also in exam crunch right now. We're already at our highest tension point fort he whole year and now throwing in the question of where are we going to study? Where are we going to live? Can you even complete your degree?

"That's a hell of a thing to throw at students."

A Massey spokesperson said if proposed changes were adopted it would contact students to explain how they were affected.

Once final decisions were reached the university would be in a position to provide clear details about students' study heading into next year.